Sheet-holder for marine vessels



(No Model.)

' E; R ENDS.

SHEET HOLDER FOR MARINE VESSELS.-

No. 348,001. Patented Aug. 24, 1886.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EBEN F. ENOS, OF MAGNOLIA, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHEET-HOLDER FOR MARINE VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 348,001, dated August24, 1886.

Serial No. 183,465. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, EBEN F. ENos, of Magnolia, in the county of Essexand State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Sheet-Holders for Marine Vessels, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the annexed drawings, forming apart thereof, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation with parts brokenaway to show the internal construction. Fig. 2 is a side elevation takenon line a" a: in Fig; 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in thedifferent figures of the drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and efficientsheet-holder and slackgatherer for marine vessels, by means of which thesheet is held as it is hauled in the manipulation of the sails.

My invention consists in a post provided with a foot or flange forattachment to the deck of the vessel, and in ashaft journaled in thepost provided with a drum and ratchet, the ratchet being engaged by apawl pivoted in the post.

The post A is provided with a flange, a, by which it is secured to thedeck of a vessel, and has upon its upper end a rounded head, b, whichassists in the handling of the sheet. It is also provided withapear-shaped arm, 0, extending horizontally from its side a shortdistance below the head I). A shaft, B, is secured in the post and inthe arm 0, and supports a drum, 0, which turns loosely thereon, and hasattached to or formed upon its inner end a ratchet, d, which iscontained by a chamber, 0, formed in the side of the post. A pawl, f,also contained by the chamber 0 and pivoted to the post' A, engages theratchet d. The drum 0 is provided with flanges at its ends for retainingthe sheet D, which is wrapped around it.

My improved sheet-holder is intended to take the place of the bit orcleat commonly used on vessels for holding the sheet.

WVhen the holder is in use, the sheet D is laid over, or, if desired,under the arm 0, and

carried around the post A and wrapped around the drum 0. When it isdesired to haul the sheet D,it is drawn forward, when it revolves thedrum 0. The pawl f, by engaging the ratchet d, prevents the retrogrademotion of the drum 0, so that the sheet is held without any furthermanipulation. Should it be found desirable to put the sheet undergreater tension than is possible by merely hauling it in the usual way,a bar may be inserted in holes in the drum near the end, so that one ortwo men can assist by turning the drum 0. By placing the ratchet d andthe holding all he gets, and by luffing the vessel one man can haul thesheet aft in a gale of wind without danger of its getting away from him,or if itis not considered advisable to luff, then the bar can be appliedto the drum in the manner described.

In jibbing fore and after as the sail swings over and fills on the othertack, the man holding the turn can reduce the strain on the boom andsheet by surging, or rendering the sheet loose on the drum, thereby tosome extent lessening the difficulties and dangers experienced injibbing a vessel in heavy weather.

Having thus described myinveution, whatI claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A sheet-holder for marine vessels, consisting of a support providedwith a laterallyprojecting arm at its upper end, a drumjournaled to saidsupport, a ratchet-wheel on the drum, and a pawl pivoted to the supportand engaging the ratchet-wheel, substantially as herein shown anddescribed. v

2. In a sheet-holder, the post A, provided with a laterally-projectingarm and the recess with the drum 0, jonrnaled to the post and arm 0, theshaft B, drum 0, ratchetd, and provided with the ratchet-wheel d in thesaid pawl f, substantially as specified. recess, and the pawl flpivotedin the recess T substantially as hcreinshown anddescribed. 7 EBEI ENOS'5 3. In a sheet-holder for marine vessels, the \Vitnesscs:

combination of the post A, provided with a LUCAS BURNHAM,

' flange, a, rounded head I), and pear-shaped SOLOMON BURNHAM.

